Full Derby Trip Report (Lots of Photos)
Well it is all over, that’s the worst part of planning holidays, so much planning and research and then all over in a few weeks…
First of all I would like to thank CCC and Michael (Former Chivers Marine employee) for inspiring me to go and do a Derby/Kimberley trip.
Well we (3 of us the missus and I and Richard) set off from Jurien on Tuesday the 11th of April at approx 8am, but this was not a great start for Richard who left from Perth at 5am and had trouble with he’s Nissan Navara Ute running like a hairy goat…
I told him that was normal for a Nissan… LOL
With a short stop in Gero for a cuppa at the mother in laws and a fuel top up we headed off north and drove and drove and finally pulled up in the Car park opposite the Fortescue Roadhouse at approx 11:30pm for a sleep.
With the missus and I sleeping in the front cab and Richard out on the deck in he’s swag, we were only in bed for 15 minutes when all hell broke out on the back deck, we thought it was the start of a UFC wrestling match, Only to find out that Richard was just about asleep and a bloody cat jumped into the boat and landed right on top of him… LOL
Now for a man of he’s age and being Long time married the thought of being jumped by a bit of stray pussy, Not only near gave him a heart attack, it scared the crap out of him, it all ended with the cat leaving the boat with one of the best discus throws I have ever seen, would have scored 10 from the Judges..
Up early the next morning and off again and drove and drove again, this time stopping in a 24hr park approx 130kms short of Derby.. So far so good with no issues with boat, trailer or car.
Second night in the boat we all slept good as now the initial excitement was turning into reality.
Day 3 seen a leisurely drive into Derby where we booked into the Caravan Park and set about repacking the boat and getting the last few supplies from town, that night after a long shower we headed to the Spinifex hotel for a few drinks and one of the best pub meals I have ever had (would do the drive again just for another meal)
Day 4 Seen us launch the Boat into the muddy waters down at the wharf
Low Tide at the Boat Ramp
We headed for a point just left of rip reef (Approx 75kms) before we changed course and headed for waterfall beach where we anchored up in the deeper water and set about unloading the dingy and fitting the outboard.
OH What a View
After spending several hours looking around the old camp and swimming in the water holes around the waterfall, high tide was near so we set off for Hells Gates, as we approached it was still moving quite fast so we decided to get into the lee of the island and throw a few lures until the top of the high tide.
Once through we headed for a lovely camp beach and spent our first night on the water..
Breakfast Setting.
Prickly Critters
Camp in Cone Bay
Entrance to X n X's, Old hippie Camp
How great is the Weather, Kimberley Glass again
Cone Bay Barra Farm
One of a few Fish we caught along the way
On the Move again
Unusual Rock erosion and a great beach where we had a nice swim, daily temps around 37 deg.
Doing it Tough at breakfast time again... Bacon and Eggs
Yet another Waterfall. Thank goodness for all the flowing water this time of year.
One of quite a few sharks released, even the little ones will smash your lures.
Next 4 photos are of Whirlpool Passage, at a near slack tide, would not like to be in the middle of that in the Spring tides.. Would be just a little Scary me thinks.. lol
Another old fishing camp, Outboard or Dingy anyone??
The Impressive Croc Creek, only seen one croc here and that was at night when it tried to sneak up on us, lol
Sunburnt Dragonfly
Squatters Arms, Phil and Marion are legends up here.
Even had a dip in their pool, SWEET
Crapper with the best View in Australia but not much privacy.
Calm Days at the Horizontal Water Falls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EoZtCWYQCs
Look who we bumped into at Silicone Beach, Tried to swap boats to no avail..
This was one of the last stops before we headed back to Derby.
All in all it was a fantastic trip and the only hassle we had was that we stripped a rubber bush out on the Ally Prop that I brought just for this trip, this all happened while scooting through the Horizontal Falls... Lucky they were quite..
Hope you enjoy the report and hope there is not too many photos..
I've spent half my life fishing.. The other half I have wasted.. 
Reefmonkey
Posts: 711
Date Joined: 22/09/08
great report.
Looks like you guys had an awesome time, if anything not enough pics! keep em comin i reckon!
Never seen the X'N'X's landing that low, Just got the call today, will be back up there in a few weeks, can't wait!
Thanks for sharing!
Dave J.
outdoinit
Posts: 1009
Date Joined: 05/10/12
Thanks mate
Yes we had a ball and loved every minute, I am sure you will enjoy your time back up there... Cheers
I've spent half my life fishing.. The other half I have wasted..
keg
Posts: 398
Date Joined: 17/07/07
nice
can never have too many pics like that.looks like an amazing trip.
Carry
Posts: 657
Date Joined: 22/04/09
good stuff
love to do it one day great report cheers fellas
We feel nothing but a certain difficulty in continuing to stand
Rob H
Posts: 5789
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Great pics mate, can you
Great pics mate, can you chuck up some facts and figures when you get a chance!
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
outdoinit
Posts: 1009
Date Joined: 05/10/12
Hi Rob Here are the total figures
for the trip as follows, Yes and they are all in Kilometers.. LOL
Total Kilometers travelled by car from Jurien to Derby & Back, including a bit of running around in derby.
= 4517 kms
Total fuel usage for the diesel cruiser loaded as per pic and first 2 days heading up into either a head or side wind.
= 1162 ltrs
Total Kilometers travelled by boat over the 10 days on the water.
= 567 kms
Total fuel usage for the boat including a fair bit of towing the dingy. (2012 Suzuki 300 hp)
= 693 ltrs
Total fuel usage for the dingy
= 35 ltrs, Kilometers unknown (Heaps)
Total fuel cost, diesel and petrol including 250 ltrs at dog leg creek at $3.25 per ltr
= $3223
So with food, 1 night in caravan park derby, trailer and car storage, couple of pub meals oh and drinks of course the whole trip cost approx. $4500 and or $1500 pp
The above cost doesn't include any pre trip maintenance like new bearings, spare prop etc etc..
Hope this helps..
Cheers
I've spent half my life fishing.. The other half I have wasted..
AlwaysFishin
Posts: 644
Date Joined: 13/11/11
Looks like a great trip but
Looks like a great trip but where's all the fish? I hope you caught at least a few for all your efforts!
outdoinit
Posts: 1009
Date Joined: 05/10/12
Appoligies for the lack of fish photos
the trip was more a go look than fish, but we did catch a few fish including, Trout, Jacks, queenie, trevally, sharks and some others. but most were caught while out in the dingy and I kept forgetting the camera.. :-(
I've spent half my life fishing.. The other half I have wasted..
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
awesome
great trip and some quality photos there
Muntzy
Posts: 2
Date Joined: 02/10/10
Awesome pics
Awesome pics
makai
Posts: 459
Date Joined: 28/10/08
Excellent reoport
That's one trip that I'd love to do, and one I am sure will stay in your memory for a long, long time. Thanks for taking the time to put up the report.
anypuddle
Posts: 597
Date Joined: 22/01/12
thanks
great photos, not your fault but i get a bit of sick feeling because im so jelous....
well done, love the photo of the little clear creek swimming hole.
Anywhere anytime
Anytime Brad
Posts: 237
Date Joined: 20/07/09
Great Report
got to lovve the remotness of this part of the world, awesome photos, thanks for sharing this
I would rather be fishing
Bluetonic
Posts: 1147
Date Joined: 09/01/08
Awesome report, love the camp
Awesome report, love the camp in Cone Bay!
Blue Sky, Blue Water, Bluetonic!
outdoinit
Posts: 1009
Date Joined: 05/10/12
Yes it was one of many along the coast
But this one looks as if it gets a lot of use still, had a fresh running spring 5 mtrs to the right where there was a shower and bath tub set up. On high tides the water comes right up to the steps at the front... awesome place
I've spent half my life fishing.. The other half I have wasted..
CCC
Posts: 539
Date Joined: 29/03/10
Great report and photos.
Great report and photos. Makes me want to go again!
Your right about the Food at the pub, one of the best feeds I've had in a while.
Thanks for sharing
CCC
milsey
Posts: 1462
Date Joined: 22/08/07
Awsome stuff mate, amazing
Awsome stuff mate, amazing part of the world and were lucky to have it within driving distance.
Cant wait to get up there.
Lamby
Posts: 3145
Date Joined: 04/08/09
Simply amazing, love the set
Simply amazing, love the set up on the rig also
r.gates
Posts: 573
Date Joined: 15/11/10
Well done guys
Hey Lyndon
I'm guessing you still haven't got the grin off your face yet....looks like you all had a ball up there, thanks so much for sharing your stories and photos. I second your comments about CCC and Michael....there's no substitute for knowledge and experience and these guys are happy to share both...thanks guys.
Don't worry about the amount of photos you've posted....keep them coming as I'm sure you've got heaps more and I'd love to see them all. Maybe a slide night in Jurien would be a great idea!
Thanks also for the breakdown of costs, sure puts some perspective to these sorts of epic adventures. However, you probably can't put a $$ figure on the experience you had up there.
If you're thinking of doing it again, you know I'd be keen to tag along!
regards
rusty...
If life is boring, you must be doing it wrong!
outdoinit
Posts: 1009
Date Joined: 05/10/12
Appreciate all the comments guys
It certainly is a beautiful place and should be on everyones bucket list.
hey Rusty, i would love to go again, but next time go futher around to places like raft point, sales river and montgomery reef.
maybe April next April. ;-)
I've spent half my life fishing.. The other half I have wasted..
r.gates
Posts: 573
Date Joined: 15/11/10
Next April
Sounds good to me.....I've now pencilled in April as being 'off limits' for mrs gates trying book a holiday!
Keep the photos coming, ok!
rusty...
If life is boring, you must be doing it wrong!
outdoinit
Posts: 1009
Date Joined: 05/10/12
Sounds Good to me Rusty
and yes April is the month to go alright.. Maybe take Mrs Gates as well???
I've spent half my life fishing.. The other half I have wasted..
r.gates
Posts: 573
Date Joined: 15/11/10
April...
Hi Lyndon
Mrs gates wants to go do the Kimberley trip but is worried about the possibility of midgies....she breaks out in nasty blistery itchy welts from their bite.
How were the midgies during your trip??
Last year in Darwin she was bitten thru her pants and socks...ended up staying inside for the week....not much fun for her.
Can you imagine if she gets bitten on Day 2 and she 'wants to go home'......yeah, like that's going to happen!!! Don't suppose 'toughen up princess' would be the appropriate response
rusty...
If life is boring, you must be doing it wrong!
outdoinit
Posts: 1009
Date Joined: 05/10/12
Midgies weren't to bad
Only when we were up the creeks and or a little in the evening..
just take plenty of bushmans spray (40% deet) and or lotion which is 80% deet, thats what Rosie and Richard used.
thank goodness the midgies dont bother me.. ;-)
I've spent half my life fishing.. The other half I have wasted..
abeldog
Posts: 801
Date Joined: 12/04/10
Fantastic Photo
Report Lyndon,
I will be in Derby in three weeks time.
Hope to catch a mud crab or two.
You have captured part of W.A that many people only dream of seeing.
A place untouched and unspoilt.
A place that is "TRULY DREAMING"
"People See Things As They Are & Ask Why???
We Can All Dream of Things That Never Were and Ask Why Not!!"( RK )
outdoinit
Posts: 1009
Date Joined: 05/10/12
Good luck with the Mud Crabs
and have a good trip, Yes it is a special place and should on everyone's bucket list..
I've spent half my life fishing.. The other half I have wasted..
RoseyOne
Posts: 3
Date Joined: 06/01/14
Would love to do a trip
like this one day too.
Looks like a fantastic place..
telferfish
Posts: 142
Date Joined: 31/05/12
Went up last year start of
Went up last year start of may. We were the only buggers up their other than Phill and Marion, 32 degree+ water temp and scorching hot all day and sweating all night in the swags, barra fishing was worth it with 30+ a day but if i was to take the misses up would give it another month till it cools off
opsrey
Posts: 1200
Date Joined: 05/10/07
Great photos.
Looks like as much fun as you describe. Did you choose alloy prop over stainless?
tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
What a magic place, love the
What a magic place, love the pic at croc creek with the boat below, those camps are too cool
I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
Coity
Posts: 47
Date Joined: 14/07/11
Awesome.
Great photos and report mate, keep them coming! This is officially on my bucket list
pigtrough
Posts: 24
Date Joined: 26/02/13
Sure is a magic part of the
Sure is a magic part of the world up there !
Brings back some great memories of croc hole and x n x camp, fun times all round. We did 3 night trips from one arm point in a centre console and had a ball, got to get back there some day for sure !
great pics !